Cash boost to help build more than 600 homes in Liverpool

A government cash windfall has been awarded to Liverpool to build more than 600 homes in the city. Four housing associations will create new houses at various sites across Liverpool from the money received by the Homes and Community’s Agency (HCA).

Council cabinet member for housing Cllr Ann O’Byrne said “This is really great news for the city and is part of our commitment to improve the range and quality of properties on offer for residents. We are working closely with our housing associations to make sure the properties are built in the right places to meet the demand in the local area. It is another boost to the Mayor’s pledge to build 5,000 new homes and bring more than 1,000 back into use which we are already on track to exceed. We will also be making sure that as much of the construction work as possible benefits local firms and also local people.”

The properties to be built will be a mix of rental and shared ownership, with up to four bedrooms. Some will include energy saving technology to help keep fuel bills down. While the money has been welcomed some housing chiefs warned it was not enough to meet the demand they were currently facing.

Riverside chief executive Carol Mills said “It’s really important that we, as housing providers, maintain strong financial reserves in order to deliver our pledge to build more homes. However, I do welcome this government funding to provide much needed new homes, both to stimulate the economy and the construction industry and start to tackle the housing shortage.”